District Newsletter: 05/15/2026

A Message from Dr. Jason Fine

Superintendent Announces His Pending Departure

Dear Families:

It is with great pride in all of the successes Bexley Schools have achieved over the past five years, and with a heavy heart, that I share my pending departure from Bexley City Schools. I have accepted an appointment to serve as the next superintendent of New Albany-Plain Local Schools.

I shared this news with all faculty and staff earlier today when I thanked them for the immeasurable work they do to support our schools. 

I am incredibly proud of the progress and the many, many successes of our students and our faculty and staff over the past five years. Working together to create an achievable and meaningful Strategic Plan was a tremendous highlight of my tenure, as was the development of our forward-planning, visionary District Facilities Plan.

Seeing our faculty, staff and students bring those plans to life by living our mission and values and encouraging our students to reach farther than they believed possible are achievements worth celebrating by everyone in our schools.

It’s no secret that I love highlighting the many champions in Bexley Schools. Having an adult champion me when I was a young student was powerful in helping me achieve the confidence I needed in my education. I know how consequential simple actions and words can be and I see such empathy and heartfelt support by so many members of our faculty and staff and within our student body. I hope everyone in Bexley continues to champion each other and always remembers that spreading positivity is never a wasted action.

The future is truly bright in Bexley Schools, and I am incredibly appreciative for the meaningful relationships developed with members of this vibrant school community. Our families are highly invested in their children’s education, and you have a long history of supporting our schools, in the community, in the classroom, and at home. Not every school district benefits from such extraordinary support, and Bexley families certainly help set the standard of excellence we all value in our schools.

I also am immensely grateful for the support and leadership of our Board of Education. I’ve shared with many people throughout the years that we have an incredible Board, with members who always put the needs of our students, faculty and staff first. Board President Joanne Pickrell offers the following message to our faculty, staff, and families:

The Board of Education extends its sincere gratitude to Dr. Fine for his outstanding commitment to our students, faculty, and staff over the last five years. We deeply appreciate his leadership and the foundation of excellence he has established, which leaves our district in a position of strength. Because of our district’s achievements, we believe Bexley Schools will be highly attractive to top-tier talent. We are committed to selecting a new superintendent to lead us forward by the start of the 2026-2027 school year and will share further details regarding the search process in the coming days.

I have loved my time in Bexley. My family and I are touched by the kindness and support we have received in this wonderful community. My last day in Bexley Schools will be July 31st, and I assure you I will remain engaged and eager to continue leading this district forward until then.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jason Fine

Bexley Sophomore Wins Central Ohio Theater Award for Best Lead Actor

Congratulations to sophomore Zeke Moses who received the CAPA – Columbus Association for the Performing Arts – Marquee Award for Best Lead Actor during last night’s awards ceremony at the Ohio Theatre in downtown Columbus! Zeke won the honor for his performance as Bobby Strong in this year’s high school musical, Urinetown.

Bexley junior Payton Theile also was recognized last night for her selection by the Jimmy Awards as one of 10 national finalists for the National Student Reporter program. She was one of two local students nominated by CAPA for the honor.

Student finalists for the Jimmy Awards National Student Reporter program travel to New York City and cover the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (the Jimmy Awards) on social media. 

In addition, junior Ani Olsheski was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, for her performance as Little Becky Two Shoes in Urinetown.

Zeke will represent Central Ohio as an official Jimmy® Award nominee and will receive a CAPA-sponsored trip to attend “Jimmys Week” in New York City. Jimmys Week is a musical theatre camp/competition run by theatre professionals and industry experts.

He will compete on the national level for the 2026 Jimmy Awards® for Best Performance by an Actor.

This is the second consecutive year a Bexley High School student won the CAPA Marquee award for Best Actor, with Class of 2025 alum Jakob Robinson winning last year. Jakob also represented Bexley in “Jimmys Week” last summer.

Each year, the CAPA Marquee awards recognize exceptional musical theatre talent in Central Ohio.

Bexley Middle School Staff Member Honored as ‘Educator of the Year’ by the Bexley Education Foundation

Congratulations to Bexley Middle School teacher Brooke Smith, Bexley Schools’ 2026 Educator of the Year! Mrs. Smith was surprised on Tuesday morning when family members, administrators, colleagues, community members, and members of the Bexley Education Foundation gathered in her classroom to make the announcement. 

Each year, it is given to a Bexley educator whose leadership, dedication, extraordinary achievements, and commitment to the classroom and the community make a difference in children’s lives. 

The Bexley Education Foundation shared that Mrs. Smith’s nominators described her work as an intervention specialist as “an example of an educator who truly cares, works tirelessly and exemplifies the highest standards of educational excellence, integrity and compassionate leadership. As an Intervention Specialist, she advocates for her students often providing a voice for them so that they are not only seen but appreciated, understood, valued and respected. She builds trust and creates a safe space where her students are empowered to reach their fullest potential.” Mrs. Smith is the first intervention specialist to receive this recognition.  

The award is sponsored by the Bexley Education Foundation and funded by the Glick Family Endowment at the Columbus Jewish Foundation. 

Pictured from left: Olga Shonia; Adam Eisenberg, chairman of the Bexley Education Foundation; Brooke Smith; Katie Bucco, Foundation Board member; and Sam Marcellino, Bexley City Council member.

Pictured, from left: Pat and Larry Santek, Brooke’s parents; her son, Alex Smith; Brooke Smith; her daughter, Ellie Smith; and her husband John Smith, who is a health and physical education teacher at Bexley Middle School.

District Recognizes 6 Students as ‘Champions’

Congratulations to six Bexley students who were recently honored as Champions in the district.

Maryland Elementary 5th grader Kai B. and, separately, five members of the high school girls track team were recognized for Demonstrating Kindness, the second pillar of the district’s mission. All of the students were honored for helping others.

Kai was nominated by a teacher who shared, “Kai is always ready to help my kindergarteners,” by accompanying them to aftercare and helping organize the teacher’s classroom at the end of each day. 

Pictured: Maryland 5th grade teacher Jon Bunker; Kai B.; and Amy Phillips, Maryland kindergarten teacher.

“He is greeted with hugs from the students every time he arrives, a testament to the kind and supportive relationships he has established with the younger students.”

Head girls track coach Jamie Hayes shared recently that a parent of an elementary student contacted her to praise the kindness of five members of the girls track team who rushed to assist the child after seeing her fall off a bicycle. 

Thankfully, Larkin Armstrong, Athena Baith, Lily Schabo, Natalie Tann, and Maria Wood were running in the neighborhood after school and helped the student get home, even offering her a piggyback ride. The girls also made sure the bicycle was delivered home safely.

Pictured, from left: Jamie Hayes, head girls track coach, Maria Wood, Lily Schabo, Athena Baith, Larkin Armstrong, and Natalie Tann.

Way to BE Kai, Larkin, Athena, Lily, Natalie and Maria! We’re proud of your efforts to champion the well-being of others!

‘Superintendent for the Day’: Cassingham 4th Grader Takes Part in School Leadership Activities

Thanks to the Bexley Education Foundation, one Cassingham 4th grader joined Dr. Jason Fine for special events and meetings throughout the district for the second Superintendent for the Day experience. River N. joined Dr. Fine as he navigated the superintendent’s busy schedule on Tuesday morning.

Together, they met with teachers in classrooms, met with principals, and read to a Cassingham class. To begin the morning, River made morning announcements to the school’s students and declared there would be an extra 4th-grade recess that afternoon to allow for a “ginormous kickball game,” in which River and Dr. Fine participated.

River also recognized six Cassingham staff members as Champions, including physical education teacher Nicole Grzywna; intervention specialist Andrew Peal; 4th-grade teacher Ross Tague; Cassingham paraprofessional Justin Strickland; Alex Montague, Cassingham librarian; and school counselor Oliver Bellamy.

A music enthusiast, River also authorized music to be played in the school hallways throughout the day and invited three friends to join himself, Dr. Fine, and Cassingham Elementary counselors Sarah Marrone and Oliver Bellamy for lunch and music trivia in the superintendent’s office.

The Superintendent’s Experience was offered as part of the Bexley Education Foundation's “A Spirited Evening” fundraising event earlier this year.

Important Dates

Opening Night is Tonight! May 14 (Thurs.) – A Tale of Two Jacks, Grades 4-5 Play, 7 p.m., Cassingham Theatre; Online Tickets

Tonight! May 14 (Thurs.) – Middle School PTO Meeting, 7 p.m., School Library

May 15 (Fri.) – A Tale of Two Jacks, Grades 4-5 Play, 7 p.m., Cassingham Theatre; Online Tickets

May 16 (Sat.) – A Tale of Two Jacks, Grades 4-5 Play, 2 p.m. AND 7 p.m., Cassingham Theatre; Online Tickets

May 17 (Sun.) – High School Orchestra Spring Concert, 2 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre

May 18 (Mon.) – Class of 2026 Senior Awards Ceremony, 3:45 p.m., Schottenstein Theatre

May 22 (Fri.) – Cassingham Elementary PTO Meeting, 8:35 a.m.; check in at the office

May 22 (Fri.) – Maryland Elementary Memorial Day Observance, 10:30 a.m., Outdoors (Weather Permitting)

May 22 (Fri.) – Class of 2026 Graduation Rehearsal, 9 a.m., High School Gymnasium & Stadium

May 22 (Fri.) – Montrose Elementary Fun Run & Dash, 2 p.m., Playground Area

May 24 (Sun.) – Class of 2026 Graduation, 10 a.m., Carlton Smith Field; Gates Open at 8 a.m.

May 27 (Wed.) – Middle School 8th Grade Recognition Ceremony, 2:30 p.m., High School Gymnasium

May 27 (Wed.) – High School Vocal Ensemble Farewell Concert, 7 p.m., Temple Israel

May 28 (Thurs.) – Montrose Elementary 5th Grade Rising Up Ceremony, 10 a.m., School Gymnasium

May 28 (Thurs.) – Maryland Elementary 5th Grade Rising Up Ceremony, 1:45 p.m., School Gymnasium

May 29 (Fri.) – Cassingham Elementary 5th Grade Graduation, 9 a.m., Schottenstein Theatre

May 29 (Fri.) – Last Day of School for Students and Teachers/Staff; End of Fourth Grading Period